Meet Our Staff
Rose Hood-Buss, she/her
Executive Director
I have spent my career working and volunteering in my passion: helping youth succeed in whatever life situation they are in. I have been able to live out my passion all of my career with direct service to youth at the Lighthouse and through training adults that work with youth with Region V Systems and the School Community Intervention & Prevention (SCIP) program. I know firsthand the power of having caring adults in the times that seem the hardest to get through and couldn’t imagine working in any other field.
“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress: Working hard for something we love is called passion.” -Simon Sinek
I currently serve as a CASA Volunteer.
Education
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations for Doane College.
Favorite HUB Moment
I was part of a group that identified a gap in services for youth in transition that conceptualized The HUB and secured the original funding needed to start the agency. Coming back to be the Executive Director is an exciting opportunity that I am humbled to have. I look forward to making many more favorite HUB moments!
Fun Facts
I love to travel; especially if it is somewhere where I can put my toes in the sand, listen to the waves crash in and read a book! In my free time, I enjoy attending Husker sporting events (especially volleyball), reading, cooking, gardening, sewing and spending time with friends and family.
Favorite Food
Donuts!
Lindsay Drake, she/her
Central Access Navigator
I was born and raised right here in Lincoln, NE. I attended Northeast High School.” Once a Rocket always a Rocket!” I began working at The HUB in 2007. My current role is the Central Access Navigator. In this role, I work with youth who are aging out of foster care and helping them with resources they may need. In the past, I have facilitated H2O with the parenting classes at Lincoln High, North Star, Northeast, Southeast, Bryan and East High Schools. I worked with youth in our Project HIRE program on helping them become employable in the community. I also worked with youth, who need assistance with accessing community services, such as housing, DHHS benefits etc. I spent 3 years working at Lincoln High School as part of the High School Graduation Initiative I’ve pretty much done it all!
Education
I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Peru State College.
Favorite HUB Moment
My favorite HUB moment was taking a group of student parents to a Mayoral Forum, where they had the opportunity to ask the Mayor questions that pertained to them and their children. Seeing them have that opportunity was incredible! I am privileged to meet and work with such great youth in our community.
Fun Facts
I have 3 children. They keep me very busy, but I enjoy every minute of it because they grow up way too fast! In my spare time I enjoy working in my yard.
Favorite Food
My favorite food is Mexican. I could eat it every day.
Jordan Hasselbach, he/him
Education & Employment Coordinator
I have led a privileged life. I say this most of all because I was empowered by my elders to let intellectual curiosity be my life’s primary motivation. One of my heroes, Aldo Leopold, once said of his life’s motivation: “there are two things that interest me; the relationship of people to each other, and the relationship of people to land.” This statement has long been true of my interests.
These abiding interests underlie many of the significant events of my life; receiving the Eagle Scout award, attending Arts and Humanities Focus Program, studying anthropology at UNL, serving as an AmeriCorps Member, joining The HUB staff. My goal as an educator and youth worker is to empower our clients to let their intellectual curiosities and passions be the guiding force in their lives. Lives to often governed by external forces and institutions.
Education
B.A. Anthropology, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Favorite HUB Moment
As an educator the most rewarding moments are those ah-ha moments. The times I’m able to see GED program participants unlock the mystery behind some problem, concept or equation. The kind of epiphany that sent Archimedes running naked into the streets crying out “Eureka!”
Fun Facts
I love any kind of outdoor adventure; canoeing, rafting, backpacking, cycling, sailing, horseback riding, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, you name it!
Favorite Food
Cured meats! dehydrated, smoked, salted, pickled or brined!
Catalina Alvarez, she/her
Community Outreach Specialist
I was born and raised in Peru, a multicultural and multilingual country with marked regions as the Andes, the Jungle and the Coast. Life events brought me to Albuquerque, NM, and several years later I moved to Lincoln, NE. For most of my life, whether in my country of origin or here in the USA, I had worked with children and adults with disabilities. In 2015, I began working at the HUB as a Youth and Community Outreach Specialist. In that capacity, I have worked at Lincoln High in the Back on Track Program.
Education
I have my Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the oldest university of the Americas “Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos”. Later on, I studied three years of Education with an emphasis in Spanish language and Literature.
Favorite HUB Moment
Every time the HUB participants accomplish, or achieve a goal, is a celebration of life for me. They are an example of courage and resilience, as they have to overcome many barriers to get where they want to be. A good reminder for all of us that one shall never give up on a dream.
Fun Facts
Enjoy listening to music, dancing, working in the yard and hanging out with friends.
Favorite Food
Peruvian Food !!!
Amanda McEntarffer, she/her
Community Outreach Specialist
Amanda is a trained peer specialist and WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator and brings a wealth of personal and professional experience. When not working Amanda enjoys decorating and gardening, hiking & camping with her family.
Education
I am a graduate of the Human Services program at Southeast Community College.
Favorite Hub Moment
“I love my job, it doesn’t even feel like work.” Amanda is excited for the opportunity to work with youth that are under-served and loves being able to assist with making connections to community supports to ensure the young person’s success.
Fun Facts
Amanda loves to spend time in Colorado and tries to sneak in as many adventures in Colorado as possible, even if it is just for the weekend.
Favorite Food
Mexican Food!
Dan Bauerly, he/him
Youth Volunteer Coordination
Dan was born in Sioux City, IA and raised (on the good side) in South Sioux City, NE. Dan moved to Lincoln after high school to attend UNL and has lived here ever since. Dan has worked with youth of all ages in a variety of settings with Parks & Recreation, Family Service CLC’s, and VolunteerLinc. Additionally, Dan is an avid sports fan, particularly Husker sports and loves live music and attending concerts.
Education
Dan has a Bachelor’s degree in P.E./Health Education and a Master’s degree in Youth Development, both from UNL.
Favorite HUB Moment
The HUB is a great place to work because it’s full of great people doing great things for young adults in the community.
Fun Facts
Dan is a fanatic of the Dave Matthews Band and have been to 37 (and counting) of their concerts, and has even met Dave himself!
Favorite Food
Ice cream (or any dessert really)!
Letia Macke, she/her
Community Outreach Specialist - Housing
I am a Lincolnite through and through. When most of my friends decided to venture out to explore the country, I was more than happy to stay home to see what I could do to make our community a better place for adolescents and young adults. My upbringing involved many of the same struggles that our participants face, and it has always been my intention to pay forward the victories that have come from developing a sense of personal empowerment. Throughout my adulthood I have enjoyed volunteering and engaging with diverse populations of individuals and feel a sense of responsibility to utilize my voice to speak on behalf of those who are need of advocacy. Having the opportunity to become a part of such a passionate team here at The HUB is a huge blessing, and I look forward to watching young members of our community thrive as they learn to become the best versions of themselves.
Education
Associates Degree in Business Administration through Southeast Community College, currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services at Doane University.
Why choose to work at The HUB?
The HUB aligns with my desire to provide unconditional support in an unbiased manner as well as having a sincere passion for watching others succeed. Their ability to remove barriers for young adults instead of creating more speaks to my heart and amplifies my excitement to be a part of the team.
Fun Facts
I have two pups, Grace and Chino who quite literally dictate my entire world. I love them to a borderline irrational extent. I also have a passion for writing and hope to be a published author one day.
Favorite Food
I could never have enough Indian food!
Janessa Thompson-Pollard, she/her
Community Outreach Specialist - Housing
I’m a native Nebraskan, who first began my introduction to human services while in the early years of education. From volunteering at the Matt Talbot, working as a research assistant at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to working at Cedars Youth Services Emergency Shelter; my passion for helping others has developed throughout these experiences! This has taken me to the work I do at The HUB. While at The HUB I focus on helping young adults who’ve been impacted by COVID-19 with rent and utility assistance as a LPAC Youth and Community Outreach Specialist. Even if I’ve made a difference in the life of one individual, it all makes what I do worth it!
Education
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with emphasis on Child, Youth, and Family Studies & English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Favorite HUB Moment
The unconditional support of The HUB has been truly amazing. To welcome anyone with open arms and with assurance that they will be taken care of, has truly made working for The Hub the most touching and genuine place I’ve worked for.
Fun Facts
I have two dogs, Luna the golden doodle and Dexter a German Shephard. Silly enough Dexter is the goofy puppy and Luna is the crazy one.
Favorite Food
I love sushi and Vietnamese coffee!